Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun Hosts Over 500 Tourism Leaders for MarketHub Americas 2023

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CANCUN, Mexico, May 08, 2023: Blue Diamond Resorts is thrilled to share that its newest property, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, will be the host hotel for one of the most important events in the travel industry: MarketHub Americas by Hotelbeds. The all-inclusive resort will host more than 500 leaders and major tourism players for the 2023 edition, which will be held from May 9th to 12th, to share the latest travel trends in the paradise destination of Cancun, Mexico.

“We are honored to welcome some of the most prominent figures in hospitality to the highly anticipated MarketHub Americas event,” mentioned Jurgen Stutz, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, Revenue & Distribution for Blue Diamond Resorts. “At Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, our newest resort, we take pride in providing unparalleled entertainment options, exceptional amenities, and a variety of venues ideal for hosting high-class events such as this. It’s an honor to be part of this event, and we look forward to delivering an unforgettable experience to all attendees.”

Under the ‘Where next?’ theme, the event will feature a diverse program of presentations and panel discussions on topics related to the future of tourism. In addition, attendees will have opportunities to network with other industry leaders.

“We are thrilled to bring MarketHub Americas to Cancun and connect with our partners and other industry leaders,” said Carlos Muñoz Capllonch, Hotelbeds’ Chief Commercial Officer. “Attendees will learn more about the latest travel trends, innovations, and technologies. I’m sure it’s going to be an insightful week for us all.”

During their time in Cancun, guests will have the pleasure of experiencing the All-In Luxury® amenities of the Royalton Luxury Resort’s portfolio. They will be able to explore the resort’s modern suites, gastronomic offerings including à la carte restaurants and mixology bars, and a range of entertainment options suitable for teambuilding and group activities. These include a water park with 14 monster slides, a laser tag arena, bowling alley, and trampoline park, not to mention the 13,000+ sq ft Convention Center, its 8,081.71 sq ft auditorium and outdoor theater.

Blue Diamond Resorts, Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun’s management company, has everything ready to host MarketHub Americas by Hotelbeds, with an extensive range of world-class activities and services that will ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees with its Splash Into Fun concept.

For more information on the group benefits offered by Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, visit www.royaltonresorts.com

About Blue Diamond Resorts  

Blue Diamond Resorts encompasses over 45 properties, exceeding 18,000 rooms in eight countries located in the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Its nine leading hotel brands include the Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts, where Everyone is Family. Whether guests come as friends, parents, kids, couples, weddings, corporate or incentive retreats, or solo travelers everyone is family in these properties that feature personalized services and signature amenities including All-In Connectivity, DreamBed, and the Sports Event Guarantee. To refocus on valued relationships and friendships, Hideaway at Royalton offers an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations to enhance Togetherness among their guests. Party Your Way at Royalton CHIC Resorts, an adults-only vibrant and effervescent all-inclusive brand to revel in the unexpected. Mystique by Royalton is Miles from Ordinary, offering their visitors the chance to connect with their surroundings in a boutique-style resort collection full of endless beauty and hip vibes. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril offers guests over the age of 21, a unique and all-inclusive Au Naturel vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed whether you´re planning a family vacation, reuniting with friends, or just have a relaxing moment with your significant other, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value, breathtaking surroundings, and rich culture and heritage. Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music, and sports while you will Dodge the Paparazzi at Planet Hollywood Adult Scene where your adults-only vacation will be the center of fascination and attention with glam and exclusivity.  

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com   

About Hotelbeds
Hotelbeds are global leaders in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses by facilitating bridges in the ever-changing and expanding travel ecosystem. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and simple access to a global network of travel products, from accommodation to ancillaries and payments, while rich data and intelligence helps to generate demand. By operating exclusively in the B2B arena, we are uniquely placed to drive growth for our partners without competing for the end customer. Our teams of 3000+ experts on the ground provide local expertise and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach spaces. Our unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serves as a catalyst for B2B travel players aiming to unlock their full potential.

Jamaican American Actress Nabs Major Role At Kentucky Derby

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By NAN Staff Writer

News Americas, LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Sun. May 7, 2023: Jamaican American Emmy-Award winning actress and singer, Sheryl Lee-Ralph, landed another major win Saturday, as she became the voice of NBCUniversal’s promotion of the 149th Kentucky Derby.

Lee Ralph starred in the NBCUniversal’s Derby opening tease and re-tease. Her distinct voice was heard speaking to the history of the race and the timelessness of it.

“One way or another this day will get your heart racing! Thank you for making me The Voice of The 149th Kentucky Derby #KentuckyDerby churchhilldowns,” she tweeted.

Ralph, 66, whose mother was born in Jamaica, has been racking up the honors since winning an Emmy-Award last year for her role on Abbott Elementary and the ‘Order Of Jamaica’ last October. She also performed the 123-year-old Black Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the Super Bowl in February.

Caribbean Travel News And Deals

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 5, 2023: Here are the top Caribbean travel news and deals this week in 60 seconds.

Canada is still warning nationals to exercise a high degree of caution if travelling to the Dominican Republic and Guyana

Two Caribbean islands in the USVI that were previously owned by the late Jeffrey Epstein have been bought by .Stephen Deckoff and SD Investments LLC for $60 million He plans to build an exclusive resort.

Construction of the $20 million Jack Nicklaus Heritage Course — the world’s first — has begun on Jack’s Bay, Eleuthera. The 18-hole championship golf course is set to open in 2025, joining the destination’s existing 10-hole short course designed by Tiger Woods.

Discount long-haul carrier Norse Atlantic Airways will expand into the Caribbean and Asia this fall. Beginning in the final week of October, the carrier will fly daily from London Gatwick to Barbados. Norse Atlantic will also fly to Jamaica’s Montego Bay and Kingston, offering four-times-weekly and twice-weekly service, respectively.

Caribbean Airlines is reportedly looking at possibly adding San Juan (SJU), St. Thomas (STT), Martinique (FDF), Guadeloupe (PTP) and St. Kitts (SKB) to its route network.

Condor will be operating a weekly flight on Tuesdays between the Frankfurt Airport in Germany and the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago, commencing on November 07, 2023 and ending on April 09, 2024. Books are now open.

The Cayman Islands will celebrate the Coronation of King Charles, III with The Cayman Islands’ Street Celebration on Cardinall Avenue, George Town in Grand Cayman on Monday, May 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. It is a public holiday in Cayman. Fellowship, food as well as music and entertainment will be available for all.

The Blue Carbon Open’s inaugural weekend is set to take place at Grand Isle Resort in The Exumas from May 12 to 14 . Four-person packages begin at $999, with proceeds supporting ocean conservation non-profit Beneath The Waves. Book at bluecarbonopen.com.

Epstein’s Caribbean Islands Sold

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. May 5, 2026: A US investor has purchased the two Caribbean islands that were previously owned by the late Jeffrey Epstein, and where authorities allege many of the financier’s crimes took place, Fox News is reporting.

Stephen Deckoff, with SD Investments LLC, bought Great St. James and Little St. James islands in the US Virgin Islands for $60 million and plans to build an exclusive resort, according to a statement from the investment firm.

A significant portion of the sale proceeds will go towards the US Virgin Island’s government as part of a previous deal with Epstein’s estate. The resort is set to open in 2025 and is expected to boost tourism and create jobs.

The islands were originally for sale at $55 million each. Little St. James, which locals had nicknamed “Pedophile Island,” has three beaches, a helipad, a gas station, and over 70 acres of land, while Great St. James has over 160 acres with three beaches.

Caribbean Heritage Athlete For 48th Annual Colgate Women’s Games Finals

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

By Eva Dilmanian and Jared McCallister

CARIBPR WIRE, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: A Caribbean heritage athlete has solidified her place for the finals of the 48th Annual Colgate Women’s Games, set for Sunday, May 7th at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island in New York.

Colgate Women’s Games runner, Caribbean roots Kushanna Medas-King, completing her race at Queens College. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

Guyana-rooted Kushanna Medas-King is leading CWG’s Elementary B 800-meter run. Already an accomplished distance runner at her young age, Kushanna is a Colgate Games veteran, who also competes in events across the U.S, and has been nationally ranked for her best performances, thanks to the coaching of her father, Guyana- born Andy Medas-King.

Prizila Negrete, whose roots extend to Honduras, throws in the Colgate Women’s Games HS Shot Put event at the Semi-Finals at Queens College, NYC. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

The finals will be a melting pot of competitors. Nearly 300 of the nation’s top young female track and field athletes, and future stars, from the U.S. East Coast will compete. Among them is also Central American heritage high school scholar and athlete Prizila Negrete of The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, N.Y. She was a top point scorer in the CWG’s HS Shot Put after the Semi-Finals.  Her parents were born in Honduras and because she holds dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Honduras, Prizila will be competing with the Honduran National team this year.

Westchester Track Officials chose the Colgate Semi-Finals to present Honduras roots Prizila Negrete — flanked by her parents (l.to r.) Wendy Suazo and Miguel Negrete of Honduras — with an award for her high school performance during the indoor season. (Photo by Elliot Mangual/Colgate-Palmolive)

“I trained with them last summer when I went to Honduras. And the first meet that I’m scheduled to compete for Honduras is the Central American Games in Guatemala, Under 18 age group, in June,” she said. Upon graduation from high school, she will be attending Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, with help from an athletic scholarship.

Following three weeks of exciting preliminary and semi-finals competition at Queens College, the top eight runners, high jumpers and shot putters in each category will compete for trophies and more than 100 educational scholarships from the sponsoring Colgate-Palmolive Company.  Scholarship values have doubled this year to $2,000, $1,000, and $500, respectively.

In addition to thrilling competition, this year’s Colgate Women’s Games finals will feature a marching band, special award presentations, and complimentary Colgate-Palmolive health and hygiene products for guests, while quantities last.  Finalists will also receive complimentary refreshments from event supporter, ShopRite.

Attendance is free but tickets are required to attend the finals.  Get free tickets HERE

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for finalists and 9 a.m. for guests.  Events will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m.

Colgate-Palmolive has been the title sponsor of Colgate Women’s Games for nearly 50 years, supporting the program since its founding in 1974 by legendary Brooklyn track coach, the late Fred Thompson. Learn more at ColgateWomensGames.com.

NewsAmericasNow.com

4 Show Genres You Must See While In The Caribbean

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: If you’re looking to venture out to the Caribbean, either island hopping on a cruise or sticking to one location, you’re likely to want some entertainment throughout your journey. Well, there are a lot of options to choose from, and they vary depending on where you’re going. But some things are universal and universally loved, and you can find them amongst the greatest bars and restaurants in the Caribbean.

So, what can you find to entertain you beyond the sun and the cocktails? Take a look at our list to find out.

Music

The Caribbeans are famous for knowing how to get a party started. With the best tunes on offer, it really doesn’t matter if you know the genre, you know the big names, etc. You can simply show up to a venue and enjoy the locals playing with whatever they have handy.

Wander down your nearest strip, and you’re bound to find a pub with a live band and enjoy a night of dancing and singing.

Of course, the Caribbean is made up of a lot of different cultures from different islands, but the best part about that is that you’re going to get something different wherever you go. But the thing they all have in common is the ability to make the listener feel alive.

Mentalist

This is a show where you get to ask the age-old question: is telepathy real ? Modern mentalism is all about reading energy and minds to pull off mind-bending tricks. Less juvenile than the idea of a magician, mentalism involves reaching deep into a person’s mind and extracting the truth. They have abilities like precognition, clairvoyance and telepathy and can demonstrate them to members of the audience. It makes for a shocking and bizarre night out.

They aren’t as common as other acts on a typical holiday strip, like music acts and comedians, but you can ask around to find interesting acts in the area.

Drag

Depending on where you go around the Caribbean, you might find yourself enjoying a bottomless brunch with a drag act. Drag artists are essentially modern (better) clowns with better material. It’s not just the outfit that will make you sick with jealousy that they offer, but great stand-up and crowd work, usually with a lip sync performance or maybe even some original music to add to the act.

Get the girls (and guys) together and enjoy an excuse for a cocktail in the morning, as if the sun wasn’t enough of an excuse.

Magician

Along the same lines as a mentalist, magicians are much beloved in the Caribbean. They make for a great family-friendly choice on the islands or on your cruise. Pulling off a mix of crazy tricks that a daredevil might only attempt for real and card tricks to entertain. There is a lot of pageantry to it that makes for an entertaining show. It’s a great option to give your kids a bit of entertainment and let them know that magic is still alive.

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Royal Caribbean Faces Backlash for Mysterious Rewards System

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 2, 2023: Royal Caribbean, one of the largest cruise lines in the world, has stirred up controversy among its Casino Royale program participants by making a controversial move.

The said change may cause concern among gamblers and benefit competitors such as Carnival and MSC, as it affects the reward system for players on Royal Caribbean’s ships.

The Importance of Rewards in the Casino Gambling Program

Many gamblers obsess over casino gambling rewards programs, which are offered by every cruise line. These rewards have high stakes, ranging from free drinks in the casino to actual free cruises.

Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale program provides different types of rewards for players who gamble on its ships. The program has tier status, and if a player hits “Prime” status, they receive free drinks in the casino and an annual free cruise in an interior cabin.

However, the second type of perk, the “offers,” is much more mysterious. These are emailed to customers, and  Royal Caribbean does not share how it determines who receives offers. They have nothing to say about their exact formula for evaluating a player’s value.

Offers are most likely based on the amount a player spends on a trip, but the cruise line does not disclose the specifics. These offers also tend to vary greatly, with some people receiving discounts, and others getting free suites.

Additionally, there may be a limit on the number of free cruises a player can book while still receiving offers.

Confusion Among Royal Caribbean Customers

When a player receives a free offer, it covers whatever class of room they are offered for two people.

However, some members of the Royal Caribbean Club Royale Facebook group have reported that they have received offers where only the first person is free, and the other must pay the full casino fare.

Solo travelers will also pay a “solo supplement.” This means that a “free” cruise is not entirely free under this new system. In the traditional system, a “free” offer requires that a player only pays taxes and port fees for each person.

The issue with having a somewhat mysterious rewards system is that players just don’t know if they’re receiving a good deal.

Now, these new “solo” offers are not replacing the traditional dual occupancy offers, but they seem to be a specific promotion sent only to some Casino Royale members.

This promotion may be seen as a discount offer not all that different from the “dollars off” offers that some people receive. However, Royal Caribbean continues to send some onboard casino gamblers the traditional offers that offer a truly free (aside from taxes and fees) cabin.

The move by Royal Caribbean has caused confusion and outrage among gamblers who are part of the Casino Royale program. Multiple Facebook groups on cruises discuss every quirk of the program. Many people are endlessly debating how offers are sent, and some are simply sharing the offers they’re getting.

Ultimately, this move has caused some gamblers to consider switching to competitors such as Carnival and MSC, which have more generous free cruise programs and more transparent rewards systems.

Royal Caribbean Controversies

It’s worth noting that Carnival Cruise Line has a system where comped Royal Caribbean customers can sail free on one of their sailings, and MSC also has a similar program. While the eligibility standards for a free cruise are not fully clear, it is evident that these competitors offer more transparent rewards systems.

Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale program is not the only area of controversy for the cruise line. The company has faced criticism for its environmental impact, labor practices, and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In April 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that it would require all crew members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The company has also been sued over its handling of a 2019 incident where one of its ships sailed into a storm and had to be evacuated, resulting in the death of one passenger.

Conclusion

The Royal Caribbean Casino Royale program’s recent change in the rewards system has caused outrage among gamblers who are part of the program.

The new system for rewards is more mysterious, and players just don’t feel the excitement. Instead, they’re now unsure of how fair the cruise ship is in terms of its promotions.

With this, some of their customers are now considering switching to competitors such as Carnival and MSC, which have more transparent rewards systems.

It remains to be seen if the company will change its Casino Royale program to be more transparent and regain the trust of its gamblers.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Jamaicans Shine On And Off The Field At 2023 Penn Relays

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, PHILADELPHIA, PA, Mon. May 1, 2023: As has become a norm, Jamaican athletes again shone brightly at the 2023 Penn Relays even as Jamaican group, Team Jamaica Bickle, was itself shining off field.

The stunner on the field this year was Hydel High School of Jamaica, which won its first-ever Penn Relays double. The Corey Bennet-coached team claimed victory in the High School Girls’ 4×100-m and 4×400-m Championship of America races. Hydel won the 4×100-m for the first time and retained the 4×400-m crown.

Holmwood Technical won the High School Girls’ 4x100m International final in 46.81 seconds.

Jamaica College and KC claimed the High School Boys’ 4×100 and 4×400 Championship of America titles.

TEAM JAMAICA BICKLE

For the first time, Team Jamaica Bickle, which was founded 29 years ago by Jamaican immigrant, Irwine Clare, Sr. OD, to provide support services for Caribbean athletes, particularly Jamaicans, who compete at the annual Penn Relays, was housed in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “Cathedral of College Basketball.”

The Palestra was built in 1927, acquiring its name from the Greek term “palæstra.”

Team Jamaica Bickle’s founder, Irwine Clare, Sr., OD and athletes and volunteers in the Palestra at the University of the Pennsylvania for Penn Relays 2023 and the Labor of Love TJB 2023 presentation. (TJB image)

“It’s a significant step for Team Jamaica Bickle and as we continue to support our athletes and our ambassadors,” Clare told News Americas Monday. “It’s courtesy of over two decades of relationships and the officials at Penn understand our presence and our importance and have said they look forward to hosting us again next year.”

This year Clare said they hosted over 550 athletes and officials, providing support with accommodation, transportation and ‘bickle’ or meals daily from April 28 to April 30th.

While the majority of athletes served continue to be Jamaicans, Clare said athletes from St. Vincent and Belize athletes were also supported this year.

“This has been one of our most successful year, from volunteers to financial donations and deliverables,” Clare added. “From the University of Pennsylvania stepping up to support us, to the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York, and over 150 professional volunteers in New York’s tri-state and Pennsylvania giving of their time to Jamaican, Caribbean and even an Italian restaurant, that provided breakfast lunch and dinner for all athletes over the three days, it has been remarkable.”

“It was a great look and presentation and a lot to build on as we march into TBJ 30,” added the group’s founder.

Top high school and college athletes from across the US and the Caribbean once again converge on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the University of Pennsylvania for the oldest and largest track and field competition in America from April 27th-29th.

This year’s class of inductees to the Penn Relays Wall of Fame included former St Jago High sprinter, Yohan Blake.

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Caribbean Travel News And Deals

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 28, 2023: Here are the top Caribbean travel news and deals this week in 60 seconds.

The US, Canada and the UK are all warning against all travel to Haiti as violence in the Caribbean nation moves from bad to worse.

According to the FBI’s Miami field office, kidnappings are
surging in Haiti to the tune of a 300% increase for the first three months of 2023 when compared to 2022.

Canada is again warning nationals to exercise caution if travelling to several Caribbean nations due to violent crime.

They are: Guyana, Belize, The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.

The US’ warning to Americans about travel to the Dominican Republic remains at Level two or Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.

The Martinique Tourism Authority has announced a new direct flight between Toronto and Martinique with Air Canada.

The non-stop, five-hour flight utilizes Air Canada’s 137-seat Airbus A220.

India and Guyana have signed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) to facilitate easier travel between the two nations. The Agreement encourages the development of international air services between the two nations and a global airline market.

Caribbean Airlines is resuming flights to Venezuela with the reactivation of the Port of Spain (POS) – Caracas (CCS) route with a weekly frequency on Saturdays.

Oort of Spain – Caracas Flight BW 300
POS 08:00 – CCS 09:55

Saint Lucia’s Restaurant Week wraps up on April 29, 2023. For a full list of participating restaurants, or to make reservations, visit stlucia.org/en/experiences/eat-drink/restaurant-week/

From May 3 to July 6, 2023, travelers can take advantage of Celebrity Cruise’s “Spring Into Summer Sale,” offering Buy One Get One 75% off cruise fare, plus up to $800 savings and up to $800 credit to spend on board.

The deal is applicable to most sailings between May 3, 2023, to April 30, 2025, allowing travelers the opportunity to book and save now. Book at celebritycruises.com.

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New World Citizenship Report 2023 shows HNWIs and mass affluent in search of freedom: CS Global Partners

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Latest Caribbean And Latin America News from News America – The Black Immigrant Daily

CARIBPR WIRE, London, England, April 26, 2023: The second edition of the annual World Citizenship Report, reveals how high-net-worth-individuals (HNWIs) and the mass affluent are in search of greater freedoms – whether that means being able to enjoy better social safety and security for oneself and family, increased access to better employment prospects and business opportunities or being able to live in territories with higher social and institutional stability – the post-Covid ‘normal’ has global citizens looking beyond the confines of their own borders when thinking about their own future, and the future of their families. 

With so much change happening so rapidly around us – inflation, broader macroeconomic volatility, geopolitical instability, energy uncertainty – it can be challenging to keep up with how all these disparate factors coming to bear on the prevailing attitudes toward global citizenship.  

The World Citizenship Report is the world’s first-ever endeavour in investigating the value of citizenship through the lens of the global citizen. It answers how can we keep abreast of the shifting kaleidoscope of citizenship values and priorities using the World Citizenship Index, an innovative tool that takes a holistic approach to rank the world’s citizenships across multiple dimensions.  

The World Citizenship Index is the product of a research-driven approach that goes beyond ordinary concepts of passport strength by placing greater emphasis on the diverse attitudes regarding key facets of citizenship. Unlike other rating tools, the World Citizenship Index ranking is designed to reflect a citizenship’s value through the lens of the newest generation of global citizens: the mass affluent population. 

Biggest motivators to invest in alternative citizenship include quality of life, safety and security and financial freedom 
The World Citizenship Report measures 188 countries across five motivators that are most relevant among the newest generation of global citizens – Safety and Security, Economic Opportunity, Quality of Life, Global Mobility and Financial Freedom. 

This year, the Quality of Life ranked in first position of the five pillars, overtaking both Physical Safety and Financial Freedom. 

Quality of Life looks at territories’ ability to provide its citizens with essential services required for a good standard of living, including higher standards of education and healthcare facilities. 

Monaco, Denmark and Hong Kong took the top three spots in the Quality of Life pillar. 

The United States came in at 29th position. African countries took the bottom 10 positions, with Somalia taking 185th place. 

We are unfortunately living through a period where the standard of living is falling at the fastest rate in over a generation.  

At the end of 2022, the UK Office for Budget Responsibility reported that UK households are set to suffer a 7.1 per cent fall in living standards over the next two years, the largest decline in six decades. And, according to the latest United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report published at the end of 2022, living conditions in 90 per cent of the world’s countries deteriorated in 2021 – something that hasn’t been seen since the height of the previous global recession caused by the financial crisis in 2007. Moreover, it marked the first consecutive year of decline in the 32-year history of the Human Development Index (HDI). 
This data shows why quality of life is so highly coveted among global mass affluents, and indeed all individuals.  

The Safety and Security motivator assesses how people in a certain country have the ability to enjoy greater social safety and security for themselves and their families and whether they have a safety net against being trapped in a territory with civil disorder. 

Iceland took first place in the Safety and Security motivator, New Zealand came a close second place and Switzerland took third place. Afghanistan scored the lowest in this pillar. 

Safety and Security remains an obvious top priority for the average mass affluent global citizen. This comes as no surprise given the uncertain state of the world – one need to look no further than the war in Ukraine as a painful reminder of the relative fragility of peace. Western nations now have a growing preoccupation or sense of danger around the prospect of war, having an active war so close to home compared with conflicts in Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world.  

The Financial Freedom motivator measures the ability of a country to provide a favourable and stable regulatory climate for the establishment and functioning of businesses, as well as the holding of personal and business assets. 

Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore took the first three spots in this pillar. 

The growing desire for citizens to conduct their own financial affairs such as wealth management and estate planning without undue surveillance and burdensome regulations appears to be a feature of the current economic climate. While 43 per cent of World Citizenship Report survey respondents placed the heaviest emphasis on the employment opportunities typically associated with economic performance, those that placed importance on investments, estate planning, and wealth planning combined for a total of 37 per cent.  

These sentiments reflect the growing perception that the rising costs of living and broader economic uncertainty are being accompanied by a creeping tax burden as state expenditures continue to escalate due to rocketing debt-servicing costs brought on by a tightening monetary landscape, rapid demographic changes, and other factors.  

It must also be noted that governments themselves are being stressed by this tightening fiscal landscape due to the rising costs of servicing their debt – a factor that is fuelling the trend of rising tax burdens globally. 

“In the 2022 edition of the World Citizenship Report, we only surveyed high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), this year, we expanded the survey to include a wider audience in order to gain a better perspective of what people prioritise in terms of their own nationality. The expanded audience of over 1000 participants included both HNWIs and the mass affluent from across the globe. Findings from the survey showed that while the research participants came from varied backgrounds and cultures, all with different needs and pain points, they all had one common goal: freedom,” concludes Micha Emmet, CEO of CS Global Partners. 

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